A backlog of more than 40,000 passport applications has arisen as a
result of industrial action by public sector workers in the 26 Counties,
which this week is set to be joined by the Garda police.

A giant queue is extending outside the Molesworth Street Passport Office
in Dublin as people wait to try and obtain passports.

Staff at passport offices have been engaged in industrial action
including public office closures and bans on answering phones as part of
a campaign of industrial action across the public service over pay cuts.

The action has led to the passport office suspending its guarantee of
providing a passport within 10 working days and the department spokesman
said it was now taking “between 18 to 20 working days” to secure a
passport.

They will also not answer phones this afternoon as part of a phone ban
to be put in place by the Civil Public and Services Union (CPSU) across
the Civil Service.

Sinn Fein Dail Leader Caoimhghin O Caolain TD has advised those who are
planning to travel abroad on summer holidays to ensure now that their
passports are in order.

The Cavan-Monaghan Deputy said, “The Fianna Fail-Green Party
Government’s intransigence in refusing to reverse the cuts to low-paid
public sector wages means that the industrial action is likely to
continue for the foreseeable future.

“I have already been contacted by constituents who have had to cancel
travel plans because their passports were not ready in time. However,
staff in the Passport Office are currently refusing to deal with elected
representatives, regardless of their politics and where they stand on
the issues involved. With the summer holidays approaching there are
likely to be many more people affected.

Deputy O Caolain concluded by reminding travellers that some countries
require passports to be valid for at least six months after the intended
date of departure and that this should be taken into account when
considering whether a passport needs to be renewed.

Meanwhile, some 11,000 Gardai are expected to begin a ‘work-to-rule’
this week in the first action of its kind in the history of the force.

The so-called ‘withdrawal of goodwill’ is in protest over public sector
pay cuts and the pension levy.

The Garda Representative Association has said its members will refuse to
use their own mobile phones, laptops and cameras in the course of their
professional duties.

The move is seen as highly controversial because gardai take an oath of
loyalty to the 26-County State and are banned from striking.

Gardai are also banned from joining a trade union. Under the Garda
Siochana Act 2005 it is a criminal offence for a member of the force to
withdraw their labour or to induce anybody to withdraw their labour.

On conviction the offence carries a penalty of up to five years in jail
and/or a fine of up to 50,000 euro.